JUST US TWO AND THE DEVIL MAKES THREE

 

This plot is recycled. These characters are recycled. Enjoy

 

 

 

EST. SHOT of LAWNDALE HIGH

 

CUT TO:

 

Jane and Daria walking the halls on Lawndale High, discussing the possibility of early senility

 

JANE

All I'm saying is that you could be one of those crazy cat ladies

 

DARIA

No, cats are inherently evil in my view. Anything that throws up in your boots is evil.

 

JANE

So if you got drunk one night and threw up in your own boots, what would that make you?

 

DARIA

That would make me your deluded fantasy where I marry Trent, we have kids, and you get to be the crazy Aunt that shows up at the most inappropriate of moments.

 

Jane turns to Daria after a pause

 

JANE

(Pointedly)

You've been reading my journal again, haven't you?

 

DARIA

Yes, and by the way, I don't think that writing 'Mrs Jane Costello' over and over again can be considered sane. Besides, what would happen if Elvis Costello and Trent met?

 

JANE

My guess is a new breed of quiet hipster thrash metal

 

DARIA

A 'new' breed?

 

JANE

Fine. Back to our original point, what if you just got a snake?

 

DARIA

Just the one?

 

JANE

You'd start out with one, but then gather more. You'd call them your babies. Then you could sit on your front porch in a rocking chair, with a snake coiled around a shotgun. In time the neighbourhood kids will dare each other to touch your fence.

 

(Long pause)

 

DARIA

Is it wrong that I can actually visualise that?

 

Daria and Jane pass the girls bathrooms, where Quinn runs out panicked and covering her eyes.

 

Quinn runs past Daria and Jane

 

JANE

Uh-Oh, I think somebody mixed shimmer with sheen.

 

DARIA

No, I know that look. It definitely means she's seen something grotesque.

 

JANE

As I said, somebody made a fashion faux-pas

 

Brittany exits bathroom, with frazzled hair and hastily applied make-up

 

JANE

Ah, I think we just found the source of our heroine's disgust.

 

Kevin pokes head out of girl's bathroom in looks in direction of departing Brittany

 

KEVIN

Wait! Babe!

 

DARIA

I think we just found the source of everyone's disgust

 

Kevin regards Jane and Daria

 

KEVIN

Uhh...Like, do any of you two know Quinn Morgandorffer?

 

JANE

To know her is to loathe her

 

DARIA

Even though we share the same last name, house and parents, I can safely say that I do not know Quinn Morgandorffer...

 

KEVIN

Uhh...cool. Because...whatever she tell you is a dirty lie

 

JANE

Dirty lies spring from dirty things

 

Daria looks coldly at Jane

 

JANE

I know. Even I'm surprised I went there

 

CUT TO:

 

INT.  MORGANDORFFER KITCHEN. DAY

 

Helen is on the phone when Quinn bursts into the house and runs upstairs

 

HELEN

Oh My. Eric, I'll have to call you back...no I don't know when... (Agitated)...No I can't give you an estimate!

 

Helen hangs up phone and departs for Quinn's room

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. QUINN'S ROOM. DAY

 

Quinn is frantically re-arranging her wardrobe when Helen knocks and enters

 

HELEN

What are doing sweetie?

 

Quinn is startled by the knock

 

QUINN

Going through my wardrobe because it helps me relax and sometimes I just need to relax because there's only so much one freakin' girl can see without wanting to go a little crazy!

 

Helen is taken aback by Quinn's outburst

 

HELEN

Can you tell me why you're home so early?

 

QUINN

Why are you home so early huh?

 

HELEN

(Nervously) Well, me and your father take an hour off work once a week, to, uhh, do mommy and daddy things.

 

(Quinn begins to look apprehensive)

 

QUINN

What kind of mommy and daddy things?

 

The sound of a car pulling up the residence, followed by the opening of the front door is heard

 

JAKE

From downstairs

Choo-Choo! I'm home! Warm up the fudge!

 

HELEN

(Panicked) We...uh...eat Ice-cream, with lots of fudge.

 

Footsteps on the stairs are heard, followed by Jake popping his head into Quinn's room

 

JAKE

Choo-Choo, there you are! We've only got a couple of hours before the kids (noticing Quinn) Hi-ya kiddo! What are you doing back so early from school?

 

QUINN

I don't want to talk about it

 

HELEN

Why not? You know that we love you and that we're here for you honey

 

QUINN

I don't think that I can say it

 

HELEN

What if you whispered it to me?

 

QUINN

I...guess I can do that

 

Quinn whispers in Helen's ear, and Helen is horrified with what she is hearing

 

HELEN

They did what!? Where!?

 

CUT TO

 

INT. MS LI'S OFFICE. MORNING

 

Ms Li is on the phone while members of the faculty are gathered in her office

 

MS LI

Yes, naturally I understand your concern, and I can assure you that action will be taken on the matter at hand...Yes, I do believe it is a most vile situation...Whereas I do regret the situation, I can not compensate before the matter is fully investigated...okay then, good day.

 

Ms Li hangs up the phone

 

MS LI

Okay, we've got to take charge of this situation before it gets worse. This is the type of shenanigan that has 'lawsuit' written all over it. Okay people, brainstorm.

 

MR DEMARTINO

Why don't we just suspend the two idiots?

 

MS LI

Out of the question Mr Demartino! We have the big game with Oakwood coming up this weekend!

 

MS DEFOE

Well we've got to do something! I hate having my class interrupted while Kevin completes a 'high five' lap of the class.

 

MS BARCH

If I had my way, we'd castrate him. It's always the filthy man's fault. One minute he's sweet, holding your hand in the bowling alley, and taking you for long walks along a moonlit beach, the next minute he's asking where breakfast is. (Ms Barch begins to shake angrily) Before you know it, you've given the best years of your life to a man who you hope can recapture some of the old magic, but no, he leaves you with no money and a stack of dishes waiting to be washed!

 

MS LI

Ms Barch, please get a hold of your self! We're trying to find a solution that would make all the lawsuits disappear, not multiply. What we need is a solution that is cost-effective, but shows that we care about the parents concerns.

 

MR O'NEILL

What if we were to set-up one on one counselling sessions for those who were affected by...the incident? Somebody has to see that these young and fragile minds are not scarred forever against the idea of love, as well as its more physical manifestations.

 

MS LI

Mr O'Neill! What we need is not to heal them, what we need is to avoid lawsuits! We need to make sure that this never happens again! We need to show the little monsters the consequences of such lewd conduct! We need to show the parents that we are in control, and repeat performances will not happen again! At least not in the hallowed halls of Lawndale High

 

MS DEFOE

(Quietly) Excuse me Angela, don't we already do Sex Ed?

 

MS LI

Well, we may do it, but apparently showing them pictures of various STD's hasn't slowed them down

 

MR O'NEILL

Well what could be worse than an STD?

 

CUT TO

 

INT. DAY. SCIENCE CLASSROOM-LAWNDALE HIGH

 

Ms Barch stands at the front of the classroom, behind her, the classroom reads 'Unplanned Pregnancy Week' in bold capital letters. Daria and Jane sit in class, with Daria with her head on the bench

 

DARIA

I'd lift my head, but I'm afraid the stupidity would get to me

 

JANE

There there, Daria. You're going to have to get used to the stupidity if you want to be a functioning adult

 

DARIA

Can't I just be an emotionally unbalanced adult like everybody else?

 

Ms Barch begins to speak

 

MS BARCH

Now, as part of 'Unplanned Pregnancy Week' you're going to experience life as a teenage mother or father

 

DARIA

Can't I just give you all my money and call it even?

 

MS BARCH

You're going to be taking home a baby doll that is designed to be as realistic as possible. You'll be feeding, changing and trying not to kill them.

 

JANE

What about selling them on the Thai black market?

 

MS BARCH

They are implanted with security devices that send data back to our computer, which means that if you neglect them, we'll know about it, and for this week, they can't be turned off.

 

DARIA

What if it's an emergency?

 

MS BARCH

What sort of emergency?

 

DARIA

What if, because of their constant crying, you lose the will to live? It would be best to turn them off, lest we have a teenage suicide prevention week.

 

MS BARCH

I like the way you think, but no, you can't turn them off. Who knows, maybe this little experiment will make some of you think twice before letting a man debase you.

 

JANE

Better than a Kangaroo molesting you

 

MS BARCH

Now, I'm going to have to pair you up. Kevin and Brittany.

 

Kevin and Brittany walk up to the front of the class

 

DARIA

I seriously doubt the system that would let DD and QB go home with a baby, no matter how fake it is

 

JANE

What are you talking about? The fake-ness of the child perfectly reflects their personality

 

DARIA

Yeah, but no baby should be able to outwit their parents

 

MS BARCH

Now, since it was you two that started this whole mess, I'm increasing the crying frequency on yours.

 

KEVIN

Aww Man!

 

MS BARCH

Quiet you man!

 

BRITTANY

We were just showing our passion for each other, is that such a crime?

 

DARIA

It is if you're Mark David Chapman

 

MS BARCH

It's enough to force me to come in early to work to set up this whole thing, so you will take your doll and you will love it. Next, Daria and Jane

 

Daria and Jane look at each other quizzically before moving to the front of the class

 

Ms Barch hands Daria and Jane a doll

 

MS BARCH

You two drew the short straw

 

JANE

Well, this is certainly going to fuel those rumours about us

 

DARIA

The homicidal maniac rumours or the gay rumours?

 

JANE

I'd like to think both

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. HALLWAY. DAY

 

Daria and Jane are walking down hall, awkwardly holding baby and 'caring parent' pack

 

DARIA

Don't worry, I'll download some software off the internet so we don't have to take care of the thing

 

JANE

And I'll take care of it in the meantime, because I'm good with kids

 

DARIA

Because deep down, you're just a big kid inside, aren't you?

 

JANE

You've really got to stop reading my journal

 

DARIA

No, you've got to start locking it. There's a difference

 

The baby starts to cry

 

DARIA

Hmm

 

JANE

What?

 

DARIA

You know, if you close your eyes and imagine, it kinda sounds like a Mystik Spiral song

 

JANE

Actually, I think a baby crying was the backing track for 'Confessing my Adult Angst'

 

DARIA

You say that about all Mystik Spiral songs

 

JANE

I know, sick isn't it?

 

DARIA

You, or the fact that all the backing tracks are crying babies?

 

JANE

Both

 

Daria and Jane depart for Girl's Bathroom

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. GIRLS BATHROOM. DAY

 

Jane puts baby in basin as Daria rifles through pack

 

DARIA

Okay wonder mom, what do we need to shut this thing up?

 

JANE

You're such a caring person

 

DARIA

It's why I'm your friend

 

Jane inspects baby

 

JANE

I think it may be hungry

 

Daria picks up bottle from pack and puts it to baby's lips

 

DARIA

Yum, electronic pulses

 

The baby stops crying

 

JANE

Look who has the golden touch

 

DARIA

What do think is worth more? A baby on the black market or a solid gold baby?

 

JANE

You'd just paint it gold, and then split as soon as the buyer pays up. What should we call it?

 

DARIA

Oh no, no names. It makes it that much harder to take it to the animal shelter.

 

JANE

How about we call it Monique and you can just neglect it as some sort of subconscious revenge fantasy?

 

Daria looks at Jane coolly

 

DARIA

How about I bust this baby open and get the electrical parts and apply electro-shock therapy?

 

Jodie enters holding baby

 

Daria and Jane stare at Jodie's baby

 

JODIE

(Annoyed) Yes, it's an interracial baby

 

JANE

Wow, you don't sound too pleased to be the overworked, overachieving person that you are.

 

JODIE

(Exasperated) It's just in between all my activities, keeping a job, a boyfriend and now this, I don't know whether to care for this baby, or choke it.

 

DARIA

We were just having the same dilemma ourselves. Unfortunately, baby choking is still frowned upon in the same vein as eating veal or human flesh.

 

JANE

Wouldn't Mack help you out? Seems like the sort of thing a young father should do...

 

JODIE

Yeah, well, we have that big game against Oakwood coming up, and the coach has called for double practices.

 

DARIA

You mean that Brittany has a baby to care for? All by herself?

 

JANE

It's like leaving Roger Rabbit in charge of the IRS

 

JODIE

Well, there's nothing Mack can do about this. He can't go and quit the team, and he sure as hell doesn't want to be doing double practices.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. PIZZA KING. DAY

 

The football team sit in booth eating Pizza and laughing

 

The coach proposes a toast

 

COACH

To double practices!

 

MACK

I still feel this is wrong

 

KEVIN

What's wrong Mack Daddy? Not a team player?

 

MACK

(Angrily) I'm the goddamn captain, of course I'm a team player! I just feel wrong leaving Jodie to care for the baby is all!

 

KEVIN

Just chill Mack Daddy

 

MACK

I told you not to call me that!

 

The coach interrupts

 

COACH

Listen Mack, if we're going to win against Oakwood, I can't have half my team taking care of babies!

 

MACK

But

 

Coach interrupts

 

COACH

You're the captain of this team, and as captain, certain sacrifices are needed. I expect you to lead the team on and off the field Mack, or is being captain too much for you?

 

Mack begins to respond, but looks at all the faces staring at him

 

Mack sighs

 

MACK

Okay. I'll play along, but I still object to this.

 

COACH

Now there's a captain for you!

 

Team cheers and Mack slumps back in chair

 

CUT TO

 

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET. DAY

 

Daria and Jane are walking along, with Jane holding the baby

 

DARIA

So where are we going to keep the thing?

 

JANE

I figure my house, since I have all the maternal skills apparently

 

DARIA

But there's a noise sensor on it

 

JANE

So?

 

DARIA

I don't think Mystik Spiral practices can be considered pleasant noise, despite the 2 people on the Spiral's mailing list.

 

JANE

And they're deaf so good point. Can't be your house though...

 

DARIA

Why not?

 

JANE

Because Quinn will try to give the baby a makeover when your back is turned

 

DARIA

She's been so distracted by what she saw that I don't think she's in the proper state of mind to give makeovers.

 

JANE

I didn't think makeovers required a state of mind

 

DARIA

You'd be surprised. She has to analyse the state of the victim, and then see if they have any weaknesses. Much like a hunting cat.

 

JANE

A hunting cat with a curling iron? Hmm...that gives me an idea.

 

DARIA

We've discussed this, you can't train a puma to run a beauty salon. It can't do the math required to keep the accounts.

 

JANE

Damn you and your practicalities! Besides, that's where the monkey comes in

 

DARIA

Assuming the puma doesn't eat the monkey

 

JANE

I see your point. We're keeping the little one in your house then?

 

DARIA

It's where the software is after all.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. MORGANDORFFER RESIDENCE. EVENING

 

Daria walks in holding baby awkwardly. Upon seeing Daria, Helen looks horrified

 

HELEN

What are they teaching you kids at that school!?

 

DARIA

Relax, this is a mechanical baby. In so many ways, those organic meat bag babies are inferior

 

Helen looks relieved

 

HELEN

Oh thank heavens!

 

DARIA

I'm more concerned by the fact that you would've been surprised by this child, if it were alive

 

HELEN

What do you mean Daria?

 

DARIA

Well, in order to have a child, one generally has to be pregnant first. That's something that you notice, like the Northern Lights, or Quinn using a word that contains five syllables.

 

HELEN

Oh, right

 

DARIA

Unless you have a spare 50 grand lying about. If you do, I hear that Singapore is the new Manilla in terms of baby shopping.

 

Helen Looks at Daria coolly

 

HELEN

Oh Daria

 

Helen departs and Daria walks upstairs

 

CAMERA PAN TO:

 

Quinn lies on the couch in deep thought, an oxymoron to be sure

 

The phone rings and Quinn answers

 

QUINN

Hello?

 

JAMIE

Hey Quinn

 

Quinn bites lip

 

QUINN

Uhh...hi Jerome

 

JAMIE

It's Jamie. Anyway, I've got my dad's Gold Card so I was wondering if you wanted to go to Chez Pierre. I know you like going there, and I...

 

Quinn cuts off Jamie

 

QUINN

Gee Jarrod, I'd love to...but I'm uhh....busy with...an all night blushathon.

 

JAMIE

It's Jamie...

 

Quinn hangs up

 

Quinn turns on the TV

 

TV

Sex Scandal Rocks Beverly Hills! 9021 oh-my! Next, on Sick Sad World!

 

Quinn turns off TV

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DARIA'S ROOM. EVENING

 

Daria puts baby on bed before heading toward computer

 

The baby cries

 

DARIA

Wow, you're scary

 

Daria walks back to baby, pauses to examine it, and changes it

 

The baby stops crying

 

DARIA

Huh, I guess I'm getting good at this thing

 

Daria walks to computer and sits down before typing

 

The computer connects to the internet

 

DARIA

Okay random mysterious strangers on the internet, you haven't let me down before

 

Daria looks at screen which reads INSTRUCTIONS FOR TURNING OFF BABY MODEL THX-1138

 

As the page slowly starts to load, Daria's eyes widen

 

Smoke starts to emit from the back of Daria's computer

 

DARIA

Hey, what's that...

 

The computer frazzles

 

DARIA

I guess when trying to use technology to circumvent technology you can't trust technology. Huh, I'm so confused that I know what it feels like to be Kevin...

 

Jake rushes into her room

 

JAKE

Daria!? Are you okay!?

 

DARIA

'Okay' is a relative term. I could use a new computer though....lest I fall behind on my schoolwork and end up going to Beauty College.

 

JAKE

Why would we need a new computer? I can fix this, it'll be a great excuse to break out the toolset your mother got me for Christmas!

 

DARIA

Okay, you get the tools, I'll call the mortuary.

 

JAKE

Right!

 

Jake rushes off

 

Daria picks up cordless phone and dials

 

Trent answers

 

TRENT

Hello?

 

DARIA

Trent? It's 8PM, what are you doing up this hour?

 

TRENT

Thought I'd get an early start tonight...

 

DARIA

Who are you and what have you done with Trent?

 

Trent chuckles

 

TRENT

So, did you want Jane?

 

DARIA

Yeah

 

Voices on the line

 

TRENT

Hey! JANE! Phone

 

JANE

The phone what?

 

TRENT

Daria...phone

 

Jane picks up phone

 

JANE

Yes Miss fire crotch?

 

DARIA

We have a problem

 

JANE

We?

 

DARIA

My computer frazzled

 

JANE

That sounds like your problem to me, unless you have those photos of me stored on there.

 

DARIA

I can't get the instructions on how to shut the baby up, and what photos?

 

JANE

Uhh....Can't you just look it up on another computer?

 

DARIA

I had the site bookmarked

 

Jane looks panicked

 

DARIA

Jane?

 

JANE

But....but

 

DARIA

I think we just became parents

 

Jake bursts into the room

 

JAKE

Stand back Daria! This could get dangerous!

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DAY. MR DEMARTINO'S CLASS

 

 

DE MARTINO

So can any body tell me how World War One started.....anyone?

 

KEVIN

It was, like that guy right?

 

Mr De Martino moves closer to Kevin

 

MR DE MARTINO

Yes, Kevin, it was 'that guy' who started World War One. In the same way that it will be 'that guy' who one day will be pumping gas for a living!

 

Mr De Martino is now right up to Kevin's face

 

KEVIN

Yo. Mr D. What did you have for lunch?

 

Mr De Martino lets out a guttural scream

 

The class falls silent, stunned by the scream

 

A solitary cry is heard

 

DARIA

Oh no, I guess I'll have to take the baby out. I guess my life partner will have to come too.

 

Jane and Daria exit class with baby in arms

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DAY. HALLWAY

 

The baby has stopped crying

 

JANE

You know, I'm starting to like this little guy more and more

 

DARIA

Oh there you go, imposing gender roles on it

 

JANE

So...have you thought of a name?

 

DARIA

I said no names

 

JANE

Come on Daria! Where's your maternal instinct?

 

DARIA

Being held ransom along with my sexual urges. It'll stay that way until I get a plane to Libya and a briefcase full of cash.

 

JANE

I always thought Ruddiger was a cool name

 

DARIA

Too country hick, like Jimmy Ray

 

JANE

Well look who suddenly has an opinion

 

 DARIA

I'm not fussy but I don't think we should subject it to 'Ruddiger'

 

JANE

So do you have an opinion or do you just like to crap on all of my ideas?

 

DARIA

You're deliberately trying to get me into an argument, and I'm not falling for it.

 

Jane and Daria run into Jodie in the hall, alone, trying to tend to the baby

 

Jodie tries to feed the baby, but to no effect

 

JODIE

I've changed you five times in the past two hours damn you!

 

Daria and Jane look surprised at Jodie's frustration

 

JODIE

Oh, hey

 

JANE

And here I was under the impression that you were Little Miss Perfect

 

JODIE

I'm really about to scream. I just don't know how to take care of this thing. I guess it gives me a perspective on how hard it is to be a teenage mother

 

DARIA

Or a perspective on how hard it is to murder babies quietly

 

JODIE

Don't think I haven't fantasized...

 

Jodie's baby starts to cry again

 

DARIA

Shouldn't Mack be helping you out?

 

JODIE

As I said before, Mack can't help not being here. He's really upset about it too, he's been avoiding me all week.

 

The baby cries louder

 

JODIE

Which wouldn't be so bad if this baby could learn to keep quiet for 10 damn minutes!

 

DARIA

Ummm....maybe it needs to be burped?

 

Jodie considers, looks into manual provided with the doll, and burps the baby

 

To Jodie's amazement, the doll quietens

 

JODIE

Wow Daria. I didn't know you had such good child-rearing skills!

 

DARIA

I...don't?

 

Daria looks apprehensive

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DAY. LUNCH ROOM

 

The Fashion club are eating their carrot sticks and Diet Soda, sans Quinn

 

Joey, Jeffy and Jamie approach the table

 

SANDI

Can I help you or whatever?

 

JEFFY

Have any of you girls seen Quinn?

 

STACY

No, we haven't, and I'm worried

 

SANDI

Why should you be Stacy? If Quinn can't keep up her social obligations then perhaps it is better if she didn't join us today.

 

TIFFANY

Buuut...who will collate all of our blushes?

 

SANDI

In absence of our supposed vice-president of the Fashion Club, all collating duties fall to Stacy

 

Stacy looks panicked

 

STACY

I can't! I'd just get it wrong! Like I did about that Kashmir sweater and the skirt, I mean Waif said it was the fall look but apparently they don't look good on me...

 

Stacy starts to hyperventilate

 

Sandi shakes Stacy

 

SANDI

It was a mistake that anybody could have made!

 

STACY

Even Quinn?

 

TIFFANY

Oh no, I don't think Quinn would have made that mistake...

 

SANDI

You're not helping Tiffany!

 

Joey, Jeffy and Jamie look at each other, confused

 

JEFFY

So you're saying that...you haven't seen Quinn?

 

SANDI

No! Now leave! Can't you see we're having a crisis!

 

Joey, Jeffy and Jamie skulk away

 

Quinn enters, looks around and sits down

 

Quinn is dressed in a trench coat, hat and sunglasses

 

The three members regard Quinn

 

SANDI

Do I have to call security?

 

QUINN

Guys! It's me!

 

SANDI

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't recognise you under all the hideousness

 

TIFFANY

What's up with thaaat outfit?

 

QUINN

Maybe I just want to blend in for awhile

 

SANDI

A Fashion Club member should never want to 'blend in'

 

QUINN

Get the guys off my back for once

 

All three gasp

 

SANDI

I think there is only one course of action. Until you change your attitude, but most importantly, change that hideous outfit you're wearing, you are hereby stripped of you're vice presidency and provisionally barred from all fashion club meetings, formal AND informal

 

QUINN

But guys! Who am I going to talk to about...

 

SANDI

You're scrunchie Quinn

 

QUINN

But...

 

SANDI

Your scrunchie

 

Quinn reaches into jacket, and puts a scrunchie down on table, before walking away slowly

 

CUT TO: 

 

INT. NIGHT. JANE'S ROOM

 

Jane is painting while Daria sits on Jane's bed

 

JANE

How about Bubba? Deliciously white-trash no?

 

DARIA

Or maybe we should just not let you make decisions from now on

 

The baby cries

 

DARIA

It probably needs changing

 

Jane looks at Daria quizzically and changes baby with success

 

JANE

Okay Daria, now I'm scared

 

DARIA

It's a machine. All machines follow certain patterns, once you ascertain these patterns, you can act accordingly.

 

JANE

Too bad real babies aren't machines

 

DARIA

Yeah

 

JANE

On the flipside, you can't coach a machine to achieve so you can vicariously live out all your lost glories...

 

DARIA

You ever think about having kids?

 

JANE

What?

 

DARIA

You heard me Lane

 

JANE

No, it's just an unusually deep question

 

DARIA

What's that supposed to mean?

 

JANE

I thought our friendship was built on our love of apathetic musings

 

DARIA

Answer the question

 

JANE

Honestly...I don't know. Some days I think a sterile life without children would be heaven, but then I think that I'd like to have a litter of young'uns, and let them roam around the back yard like free-range chickens.

 

DARIA

I can see why you're so good with kids

 

JANE

Yeah, one way or another, kids are livestock. Speaking of good parenting, you've been on a lucky streak this week.

 

DARIA

As I said, probabilities.

 

JANE

Come on Daria, you're smart, not Steven Hawking smart. There had to be some instinct somewhere there...

 

Daria flops on Jane's bed

 

DARIA

I don't know, maybe there is.

 

JANE

Is Daria Morgandorffer getting all maternal on me?

 

DARIA

Who knows?

 

JANE

Maybe it's time to answer your own question

 

DARIA

What?

 

JANE

Do you want kids? You know, apart from Trent junior...

 

Trent comes past door and coughs

 

Daria blushes

 

TRENT

Were you just talking about me?

 

JANE

No, just about the baby

 

TRENT

Man, that thing freaks me out

 

JANE

How so oh brother of mine?

 

TRENT

Looking into its soulless eyes, it's like a window into myself...

 

DARIA

You should put up some curtains then

 

Trent chuckles

 

TRENT

Cool Daria. Well, see ya

 

 Trent leaves

 

JANE

So, Daria? Baby or no baby?

 

DARIA

I don't know. I need to think for awhile.

 

Daria gets up, taking the baby with her and leaves

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. NIGHT. MORGANDORFFER LOUNGEROOM

 

Daria walks in and puts baby on table

 

Daria walks and lies down on the couch

 

After 5 seconds she sits back up and looks squarely at the baby

 

DARIA

Get out of my brain

 

She lies back down and stares at ceiling

 

Daria then falls asleep

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. DAY. A FIELD                                DREAM SEQUENCE

 

Daria wakes up to find that she's lying on the grass

 

She stands up and looks into the distance

 

DARIA

Is that my old school?

 

Daria walks toward building with Texan flag waving on the flagpole

 

She enters the doors, and then walks into one of the classrooms to find it's empty

 

Daria looks at the clock

 

DARIA

I guess its lunch time

 

Daria then walks into the yard, to find all the children playing

 

The children are playing their various games

 

CHILDREN

Ring-a-Ring of Rosies, pocket full of Posies...

 

CHILDREN

Tag! You're it! Hey, no tag-backs!

 

Daria notices a girl under the tree, in glasses, reading. She is the only one not participating in the playing.

 

Daria walks over to her

 

DARIA

Hey

 

GIRL

Hey

 

DARIA

Why aren't you playing with the other kids?

 

GIRL

I like to read

 

DARIA

It's a good hobby. So, who are you into?

 

GIRL

Orwell mostly

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. NIGHT. MORGANDORFFER LOUNGEROOM

 

Helen walks in and finds Daria lying on couch

 

She smiles, and taps Daria on the shoulder

 

Daria wakes up

 

HELEN

What are you doing down here?

 

DARIA

What are you doing here? It's only... (Checks watch) 11PM. You should still be at work.

 

HELEN

I decided to come home early

 

DARIA

Did Eric get sued again?

 

HELEN

No, not again.

 

DARIA

Can I ask you a question?

 

HELEN

Sure honey

 

DARIA

When do you know....when it's time, you know, to have a baby?

 

HELEN

Daria?

 

Helen is surprised by the sudden sharing

 

The baby starts to cry, and Daria holds the baby

 

HELEN

Oh

 

Daria feeds the baby

 

HELEN

You know, you look very comfortable there

 

DARIA

I know, and that's what scares me. Intellectuals aren't supposed to have offspring, they're supposed to live in a New York studio apartment in a general malaise about everything and everyone.

 

HELEN

Sometimes life isn't what you expect Daria

 

DARIA

You mean it isn't a meaningless descent into the void?

 

HELEN

No

 

DARIA

Was I difficult to raise?

 

HELEN

No more than any other child, why do you ask?

 

DARIA

What if you're child doesn't turn out the way you expect them too?

 

HELEN

As I said, life isn't always what you expect. You know, before you were born your father wanted a boy.

 

DARIA

So I'm a constant reminder of his inability to sire an heir?

 

HELEN

No. The thing about having children is that once you've been in labour for 22 hours with them, is that you love them no matter what. More than that, you love seeing them develop their own personalities, quirks and habits, and you can't help but to feel maternal when your children laugh.

 

DARIA

But I didn't laugh

 

HELEN

No, you're personality didn't allow you too, but you smiled in your sleep. You still do.

 

DARIA

So you're saying that no matter how they turn out, it's all gravy?

 

HELEN

Yes

 

DARIA

What if they're axe-wielding murderers?

 

HELEN

You'd be disappointed, but you'd still love them

 

DARIA

Child Killers?

 

HELEN

Same thing

 

DARIA

Puppy Kickers

 

HELEN

Okay Daria, that's enough

 

Daria begins to leave, but turns to Helen

 

DARIA

Thanks

 

HELEN

For what?

 

DARIA

For not giving up on me

 

HELEN

It's in the contract

 

Daria leaves

 

HELEN

That's how that's done

 

Quinn enters the room

 

HELEN

Quinn? Shouldn't you be out on a date right now?

 

QUINN

I'm taking a break from boys

 

HELEN

What!? What's wrong darling? You can talk to me.

 

QUINN

It's just this whole...thing...you know, at the school.

 

HELEN

Oh...

 

QUINN

It's just that I went out with boys and I only ever had half an idea about what they wanted. Seeing, what couples get up to...it scared me. When is the right time?

 

HELEN

When you're ready, you'll know. It doesn't mean you should stop going out with boy's altogether

 

QUINN

What do you mean, aren't they only after one thing?

 

HELEN

Most of time yes. But I trust your judgement Quinn. It's why I don't ban you from dating. If the boy is a nice guy, he'll still want it, but he'll wait until you're ready for it.

 

QUINN

What if they pressure me?

 

HELEN

Then you walk away and you find another date

 

QUINN

Thanks Mom

 

HELEN

Besides, you wouldn't be a Barksdale without using your...chaste nature as leverage.

 

QUINN

Oh mom!

 

Quinn departs

 

HELEN

That's a two 'fer right there

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. DAY. SUBURBAN STREET

 

Jane and Daria walk along, Jane holding the baby

 

JANE

So, did you answer your question?

 

DARIA

About what?

 

JANE

About splitting your loins in twain for the survival of the human species.

 

DARIA

Oh, I guess so.

 

JANE

And?

 

DARIA

I guess it wouldn't be such a bad thing, I mean, I'm probably the last thing my parents expected me to be, but they seem relatively happy.

 

JANE

Now all we have to do is find a father. Hey, Mystik Spiral is playing at the Zon tonight, you should go.

 

DARIA

Better yet, Elvis Costello is playing at the State Entertainment Center, you should go.

 

JANE

Don't toy with me Daria.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT.NIGHT. FOOTBALL FIELD

 

The score board shows full time, LAWNDALE 0, OAKWOOD 37

 

The fashion club sans Quinn sit in the stand

 

SANDI

I don't think I can put up with this sucky performance

 

TIFFANY

It makes me liiiike ashamed to go to this school

 

Quinn sits next to them, with her 'normal' outfit on

 

QUINN

Hey guys

 

SANDI

Oh, hello Quinn

 

STACY

I thought we weren't talking to her

 

SANDI

Shut up Stacy!

 

STACY

Eeep!

 

QUINN

So...I'm going out with Cory this weekend

 

Sandi reaches into her purse and garbs scrunchie

 

SANDI

Welcome back Quinn

 

Down on the field, Upchuck talks to Kevin about the team's sucky performance

 

UPCHUCK

I have Kevin Thompson here to explain why the Lions roar was a tame whimper tonight, Kevin?

 

Kevin is doubled over in pain

 

KEVIN

Too...much...pizza

 

Meanwhile Mack walks over to Jodie, who looks pissed

 

MACK

I'm in trouble now aren't I?

 

JODIE

Oh you're dead.

 

THE END

 

Questions? Comments? Innuendoes? Ranting_klown@hotmail.com